State Aid funding for public libraries in Florida may be completely cut if the recommendations of the Florida Senate and House go through. Many libraries run literacy programs, and most of our volunteer literacy programs use the library for tutoring. This could mean that programs and open hours could be cut impacting our volunteer programs. Read the link below for details to see what you can do now.
http://capwiz.com/ala/fl/issues/alert/?alertid=14792616&PROCESS=Take+Action
Florida's rural libraries, especially, could be severely hurt. In some cases State Aid is half or 100% of their funding.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Get New Trainers
Does your program need new tutor trainers? Then select some volunteers/staff to attend the Florida Literacy Coalition's Train the Trainer Course starting May 4 as a preconference to the Florida Literacy Conference.
Every program needs tutor trainers on site, and strong programs have several trainers. Experienced volunteers are a good source of new trainers. Some may be ready to grow into different roles in your organization.
Recruit volunteers who are computer savy. Often new college graduates are a good source because they have taken online courses to get their degrees. If you can find trainers interested in blending online tutor training with face to face opportunities, you will have a more flexible tutor training mode. Sign up by March 19 for the train the trainer course. Travel assistance is available. Go to http://www.floridaliteracy.org/ to sign up.
Every program needs tutor trainers on site, and strong programs have several trainers. Experienced volunteers are a good source of new trainers. Some may be ready to grow into different roles in your organization.
Recruit volunteers who are computer savy. Often new college graduates are a good source because they have taken online courses to get their degrees. If you can find trainers interested in blending online tutor training with face to face opportunities, you will have a more flexible tutor training mode. Sign up by March 19 for the train the trainer course. Travel assistance is available. Go to http://www.floridaliteracy.org/ to sign up.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Annual Meeting & Programs Scheduled
Two of VALF's programs have been scheduled at the Florida Literacy Conference. Early conference registration has been extended to March 19.
Session Title: Public Library Literacy Update and Networking Program
Date/Time: Wednesday May 5th; 3:45pm to 5:00pm
Session Title: Tutor Tips for Retaining Learners and VALF Annual Meeting
Date/Time: Thursday May 6th; 3:15pm to 4:45pm
The conference will be held Wednesday, May 5 to Friday, May 7 with pre-conference sessions on Tuesday, May 4 at the South Seas Island Resort in Captiva.
Visit http://www.floridaliteracy.org/floridaliteracyconference.html complete conference and registration for information.
I hope to see everyone there.
Sandy Newell, President
Session Title: Public Library Literacy Update and Networking Program
Date/Time: Wednesday May 5th; 3:45pm to 5:00pm
Session Title: Tutor Tips for Retaining Learners and VALF Annual Meeting
Date/Time: Thursday May 6th; 3:15pm to 4:45pm
The conference will be held Wednesday, May 5 to Friday, May 7 with pre-conference sessions on Tuesday, May 4 at the South Seas Island Resort in Captiva.
Visit http://www.floridaliteracy.org/floridaliteracyconference.html complete conference and registration for information.
I hope to see everyone there.
Sandy Newell, President
Saturday, March 6, 2010
First Online Session a Success!
Yesterday VALF presented our first online session thanks to Debra Hargrove who manages Florida TechNet. We provided technical assistance for those interested in applying for this years VALF grant. Most questions were around innovation, a new element required for this year's application.
We had program managers from volunteer literacy programs in Gadsden, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Martin and Monroe Counties sign up for the session. Glenda Norvell, VALF Treasurer, walked everyone through the application which is now posted on our wiki. Glenda Chairs the grant committee. Here are some of her recommendations:
1. Read the application and follow the rules. Last year we couldn't consider some applications because they went over VALF's page limit.
2. Note that we added a new component, Innovation. You can get up to 20 points for the category.
3. Applicants who applied in previous years and did not get a grant award get an extra 10 points if they apply again this year. So, if you applied in the past, you are rewarded for trying again.
Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida is a membership organization dedicated 100% to the support of volunteer literacy. We are volunteer run and are funded by membership and donations. We hold our annual membership meeting at the Florida Literacy Conference and are a member of the Florida Literacy Coalition. For more about VALF, go to our wiki.
We had program managers from volunteer literacy programs in Gadsden, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Martin and Monroe Counties sign up for the session. Glenda Norvell, VALF Treasurer, walked everyone through the application which is now posted on our wiki. Glenda Chairs the grant committee. Here are some of her recommendations:
1. Read the application and follow the rules. Last year we couldn't consider some applications because they went over VALF's page limit.
2. Note that we added a new component, Innovation. You can get up to 20 points for the category.
3. Applicants who applied in previous years and did not get a grant award get an extra 10 points if they apply again this year. So, if you applied in the past, you are rewarded for trying again.
Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida is a membership organization dedicated 100% to the support of volunteer literacy. We are volunteer run and are funded by membership and donations. We hold our annual membership meeting at the Florida Literacy Conference and are a member of the Florida Literacy Coalition. For more about VALF, go to our wiki.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Link to VALF Online Session
VALF (Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida) invites you to join our question and answer workshop session for applying for the VALF 2010 grant. The workshop session will be Friday, March 5th at 1:00 PM. Use the information below to join the session on Friday.
Please email us at literacyflorida@hotmail.com to indicate that you plan to attend the session.
If you have any questions, please call Sandy Newell at 850-245-6624.
Topic: VALF Grant Writing Workshop
Date: Friday, March 5, 2010
Time: 1:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time
Meeting Number: 575 935 891
Meeting Password: sandy
-------------------------------------------------------
To join the online meeting (Now from iPhones too!)
-------------------------------------------------------
1. Go to https://floridatechnet.webex.com/floridatechnet/j.php?ED=142124602&UID=0&PW=NZjBmNjQ0ZDIy&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the meeting password: sandy
4. Click "Join Now".
To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link: https://floridatechnet.webex.com/floridatechnet/j.php?ED=142124602&UID=0&PW=NZjBmNjQ0ZDIy&ORT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
-------------------------------------------------------
To join the audio conference only
-------------------------------------------------------
Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 1-408-792-6300
Access code:575 935 891
We look forward to talking with you.
Sandy Newell, President
VALF
Please email us at literacyflorida@hotmail.com to indicate that you plan to attend the session.
If you have any questions, please call Sandy Newell at 850-245-6624.
Topic: VALF Grant Writing Workshop
Date: Friday, March 5, 2010
Time: 1:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time
Meeting Number: 575 935 891
Meeting Password: sandy
-------------------------------------------------------
To join the online meeting (Now from iPhones too!)
-------------------------------------------------------
1. Go to https://floridatechnet.webex.com/floridatechnet/j.php?ED=142124602&UID=0&PW=NZjBmNjQ0ZDIy&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the meeting password: sandy
4. Click "Join Now".
To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link: https://floridatechnet.webex.com/floridatechnet/j.php?ED=142124602&UID=0&PW=NZjBmNjQ0ZDIy&ORT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
-------------------------------------------------------
To join the audio conference only
-------------------------------------------------------
Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 1-408-792-6300
Access code:575 935 891
We look forward to talking with you.
Sandy Newell, President
VALF
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Grant Writing Technical Assistance
VALF is providing a question and answer technical assistance online session on grant writing this Friday at 1 pm ET. Glenda Norvell, literacy consultant and treasurer of VALF, will be available to answer questions. The link to the session will be posted by Friday morning on this blog. The session will focus on the grant opportunity provided by VALF this year.
The VALF grant appliction is due the end of March. We will be awarding up to $1,000 for an innovative project to a volunteer literacy program in Florida. The grant will be announced at the VALF annual meeting at the Florida Literacy Conference in May in Captiva in south Florida. To get the grant application, email literacyflorida@hotmail.com.
Sandy Newell,
President, VALF
The VALF grant appliction is due the end of March. We will be awarding up to $1,000 for an innovative project to a volunteer literacy program in Florida. The grant will be announced at the VALF annual meeting at the Florida Literacy Conference in May in Captiva in south Florida. To get the grant application, email literacyflorida@hotmail.com.
Sandy Newell,
President, VALF
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Program Survival
Some library literacy programs have the best of both worlds. They receive strong support from the library AND qualify for United Way funds. How do they do it? Typically, government cannot receive United Way funding, but these programs are incorporated as non-profits--separate from the library. This means they have the stability of having their office and lead staff paid through the library's budget. LVA Leon County and LVA Gadsden County are examples of programs with this dual stream of funding.
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